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Hermanus Day Tripping Tips #TourismForAll

Hermanus is sooo close to Cape Town. Only 90 minutes away. A day out might feel like a holiday. The holiday that you need. Weather is mild. Lots to enjoy and explore.

Start Early. To make the most of a day trip to Hermanus an early departure is recommended. Aim to have your morning coffee at Peregrine Farm Stall in Grabouw and be the early bird who can fill a day with excitement. If you are traveling via the scenic Clarence Drive you could have a coffee in Rooiels or Kleinmond Harbour Road.

Plan your day. Do you wish to hike in nature, enjoy a wine tasting, explore the small shops, stock up on books or take photos? Don’t arrive without a plan if you want to make the most of the outing. Parking at Gearings Point or below Hoy’s Koppie are fairly good for long stays.

Book lunch. This gives direction to your day and ensures that you are not disappointed to find your favourite restaurants have no seats left for you.

Came for seafood? All the restaurants in the centre of town have seafood on their menu. Fisherman’s Cottage, Burgundy, Tapas, Fabios, Bientang’s Cave, La Pentola, Lemon Butta, Fusion and Pear Tree are above the Old Harbour and they all have good seafood menu options to accompany a glass of local wine or craft beer. Burgundy and Harbour Rock serve the local delicacy abalone or perlemoen.

Pack something warm and wear comfortable shoes. Like with most villages Hermanus is best explored on foot. From one side to the other. If you venture too far and don’t feel like walking back just call the Tuk Bus or one of the many local transport companies for a return journey. The weather changes quickly and a jacket might come in handy.

Stretch your legs and walk a small section of the Cliff Path. Just to set the mood and give you time to contemplate the day. There are spectacular sculptures and also a model solar planet built to scale on the Cliff Path. Or hike up Hoy’s Koppie behind Checkers for a birds-eye view of Hermanus. It is a short walk, not strenuous but there are many steps. The view will not disappoint.

If you visit on a Saturday do a market stop for ambience, great local produce and the change of meeting friends. You might even ditch the original plans for the day! Hermanus has 2 main markets – Hermanuspietersfontein and Hermanus Country Market.

Want to find out where the whales are? The world’s only whale crier is based at the Hermanus Tourism Kiosk above the Old Harbour in the centre of town. He will be able to give updated information about whale sightings.

Need to get a little closer to the whales? Three boat based whale watching businesses operates from the Hermanus New Harbour. Advanced bookings are required and these trips are weather dependant. Your “something warm” will come in handy here.

After art? Seventeen galleries have teamed up for the First Friday Art Walk and Harbour Road has a number of galleries as well as the well-known Hemingways Book Shop that has been going strong since 1995. An interesting shop where you could lose track of time.

There is more to do in Hermanus. The tips above are meant as a general guide for spending one day in Hermanus. Wish to stay over? Enquire about accommodation at the Hermanus Tourism Kiosk at the Old Harbour or the Tourism Bureau at the Station Building adjacent to Checkers. After a good night’s sleep you can explore Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Grotto Beach, Hermanus Wine Route and perhaps even kayak in the Walker Bay?